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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 12h

#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #push

During a traditionally non lethal engagement with the Sheltri, one of the the raiders changes the rules … on Rushak.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.

But it shoved in close; its red eyes and hawkish nose filled his eyes and blurred and darkened into the image of a Kudrum. It became a Kudrum, and once
again it had Lara, it had him. He gasped with terror.

His limbs quivered, softened into soaked roots. It wrestled him to the ground and pulled a knife. He grappled in vain. The thing was going to kill him.

Blue light flared. The creature leapt off him
and fled as his enraged brother menaced it.

He huddled where he had fallen. Scratches
burned on his face. He lifted a trembling hand,
dropped it, PUSHed himself upright. The horrible image flashed in his mind and flashed again before the night resolved. Drisal's hands took hold of him, pulling him to his feet. He staggered free. His jaw ached. Bracken fires glittered all around. Void of thought he plunged into the task of smothering them
one after another until he was winded, then smothered one more.

Brother's Keeper
A.C. Turek

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MeliBOO! (she/her) @melibee44.bsky.social · 4h

With Alt text:

thegingerjesus1

> Bookthreads

2h

I finished @dr_jonathan_stea's book Mind the Science. An accessible read, informative on the dangers of pseudoscience and the wellness industry.

50 MIND THE SCIENCE

Depression is not the same as having a bad day.

ADHD is not the same as being hyperactive.

PTSD is not the same thing as feeling upset.

Panic Disorder is as being afraid. not the same thing

OCD is not the same as being organized.

Anxiety Disorder is not the same as feeling stressed before an exam.

schizophrenia is not a split personality.

is not the same Bipolar Disorder as being moody.

Source: http://www.mentalhealthliteracy.org

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 1d

#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #hope

It’s happened. It MUST be his fault! The mob rules.

POV Cerel

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.

rebuild!" Falma shouted. "Banish him! Only then can we be safe."

"No!" Drisal shouted. "I can't work without
him!" Lord Deran glanced at him and frowned. But the damage was done. Shouts of agreement had already begun. Talman glared at her as those outcries sprouted dozens more. The foolishness spread
putridly around Cerel like the contents of a spilled chamber pot.

"What a boggle of fishwits," he muttered.

"Indeed." Jer looked over the crowd. Too
many people's attention homed in on their small group, and they started to close in on Rush and Drisal.

"Stop it! Listen to Talman!" Cerel boomed, in a final, fleeting HOPE that his celebrity status as newly Named would make him heard.

Brother's Keeper
A.C. Turek

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Siege of the Spirit @siegeofthespirit.bsky.social · 1d

#WIPSnips hope #fantasy #darkfantasy #despair #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

There was a pathetic eagerness to the way he asked the question, though he was clearly without hope.

Siege of the Spirit

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Siege of the Spirit @siegeofthespirit.bsky.social · 1d

Looking down at ashy ground through the interior of a juniper snag struck by lightning and burned decades ago.
#SundaySnag #tree #nature #juniper #struckbylightning

The interior of a hollow juniper struck by lightning and burned decades ago. Looking straight down inside the trunk at an ashy floor, encircled by the partially charred interior walls of the trunk. Sunlight has made it inside, too, illuminating the floor which seems to cast the light back upward so it appears to be the thing shining.

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Siege of the Spirit @siegeofthespirit.bsky.social · 1d

#WIPSnips hope #fantasy #darkfantasy #despair #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 2d

#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #welcome

Even a simple introduction is demeaning.

Rushak is brought to the king’s hall for the first time by his father.
POV: Chalmalch, Druid.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.

Lord Deran glanced at the slight figure on his
left as if he were a small rodent half out of its hole. “And Rushak."

The name was familiar, thorn-prick, dashing
deer familiar. A single stark word, a root that meant “songbird" with the tail of falsehood. No family designation completed it. Lord Deran's voice held a dangerous edge and Rushak flinched at hearing his name pronounced, so slightly that only the Ra'am
himself, being what he was, noticed. The word itself, so uttered, was a blow. But the false little bird remained motionless. The king shared an enigmatic smile with the princess and then offered encouragement, his voice kind, soft, his words unwontedly slow and distinct. Be WELCOME. Rise. Take
courage.

So Rushak stood, and began to speak out of a
face uplifted, as pale and still as moonlight.

Brother's Keeper
A.C. Turek

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 2d

A dark scene from Siege of the Spirit, book two of my fantasy WIP.

TW: child injury

#Saturdark #darkfantasy #WritingPrompt #fantasy #WritingCommunity

"No. No. Tëryl." He knelt beside his son,
unable to stop the tears raining from his soul. Tëryl's face was so pale, his temple bloodied where he'd struck a stone. Drisal searched further, but could find no wound from the urmaugh, thankfully. Pain and tears nearly blinded him.

He did not hear Lord Shelwon's patrol
approaching until they were upon him. They hauled him to his feet and bound his wrists.

"Please. My son is hurt. My family needs me.
You, you can't do this."

The young guard's face was inscrutable and
pitiless. "We have our instructions."

Siege of the Spirit
A.C. Turek

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 2d

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober
11. Snippet Saturday

The Acolytes are coming. They’ll be asking questions.
Lara and Glassa, Rushak’s aunt.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
Another I liked for #WIPSnips #welcome so I dare share a twofer?

Fantasy Indies Spooktober prompt graphic

"So what the Acolytes have found is a knot of
quarreling women!" Lara cried. "What ails you?" She clenched her fist outside the kitchen, near the entrance to the gathering hall.

"You've never walked the line, child, between
light and dark, between black and white, between moral right and mortal wrong, have you, child?" Glassa murmured between her teeth, her voice low, accusing. "You've never seen death in its unWELCOME absoluteness. It has never taken from you or yours. You have never dashed yourself against tradition like
a fly against glass. I love my brother! Do you
understand this?"

Lara nodded. "Of course I understand."

"How can you? You're an only child!"

Lara stiffened. "They're here."

Brother's Keeper
A.C. Turek

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Siege of the Spirit @siegeofthespirit.bsky.social · 2d

Good morning from Lily! I think she just woke up.
#Caturday #Cat

Calico cat faces viewer. She is curled on a lap, sort of.

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 3d

#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #prize

Rush’s slapstick demonstration of the wrong one has finally come to an end.

A lighthearted look the dynamic between Rushak Cerel and Drisal.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.

"Hurry up," Cerel muttered under his breath.
Rushak cleaned the fish carefully so all the
children could see. "Well," he said, rinsing the knife clean. "Bey was right. Small fish, small knife. It's always important to use the right tool for the job-any job—and the biggest tool isn't necessarily the best one." That made Drisal cough, and both burst into laughter when Rushak glanced up at them along
with the children, wearing the same bemused
expression. He got to his feet amid a dozen protests. “We're done for the day." He tossed the PRIZE to Bey. “Take that to your mother. I'm sure she'll find something to do with it." The children scurried off, and Rushak joined his brother and Cerel.

"That was some performance," Cerel said,
punching him.

"At least Lyn can't say I did not contribute
anything to the feast now."

Drisal raised an eyebrow. "One tiny fish?
That's really it?"

Brother's Keeper darling outtake

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 4d

#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

They were paid. Still looks like exploitation to Cerel, for … reasons.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.

Circle = #battery (a small group with purpose) AND vibe: gem power!

"You now know the Kudrum assault the
Forest. They moved in strength while we toiled here to what end we knew not. Therefore we march, even
at midnight. You have shown great courage in battle in the face of bitterness, homelonging, and death. Now show courage of another kind, for with it we can reach home in time. The Edin and the Ra'am have
given me blessing in this time of need to exercise the power manifested through me by Maledin-Iryla to open a portal." Lord Shelwon raised his fist, casting the light of his Shammeth-stone, pale for now, over the company. "Rälm-wielders, assemble!"

Drisal gasped; his eyes widened as the twelve
lords and antler chiefs formed a circle, their shining emeralds upraised. Cerel understood. Here'd be the greatest test of the brothers' arduous nights of labor.
His lips tightened. They'd get not a pinch of credit for its success, and likely all the blame if it failed.

Brother's Keeper
A.C. Turek

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Siege of the Spirit @siegeofthespirit.bsky.social · 4d

This is so heart-wrenching!

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Siege of the Spirit @siegeofthespirit.bsky.social · 4d

Oh yes! I have so much trouble with that, too! Military titles, castle parts … I have references but I can’t seem to find the time to use them!

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Honorée Fanonne Jeffers @blklibrarygirl.bsky.social · 5d

If you worked on something today, congratulate yourself: Childcare, answering emails, physical therapy, writing, watering plants.

Anything you did, go ‘head & remind yourself you survived another day & that’s a gracious plenty, given what’s happening.

Let’s not take our survival for granted.

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 5d

#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #dungeon

Awaiting the opportune moment to see a certain Sheltri prisoner for themselves.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers linked by a misunderstood power.

The jailer padded up behind them, panting. "I tell ye, ye've made a mistake. The dead one may be a spy; I wouldn't know. But this I do know: [Brother Redacted] himself is in the dungeon. If ye'd heard the music, ye'd know."
They stopped. Ransom's brow creased. "Don't
be ridiculous." He glanced at Rochat. The strident bawling of Cirdaathan bagpipes interrupted them.

"The song of warning," Ransom said. "The Sheltri have come after all. Mark me, the city will shake again, and this time, the gates will open."

Rochat grimaced. "The king will drive the
Rhursans off today, and the cursed Elves. Nothing will break this city. I'm for the ramparts, and let the prisoners rot." Rochat spun and made for the stairs, Rey following, as men called and scrambled to arms.

Farrowlin glanced in the direction Rochat had
gone, then shrugged at Ransom. "He's gone, my lord. We'll never have a better chance."

Brother's Keeper
A.C. Turek

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Siege of the Spirit @siegeofthespirit.bsky.social · 4d

I’m so blessed. This is my freakin land, so much as it’s possible to “own” such a thing.🙏🙏🙏

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Siege of the Spirit @siegeofthespirit.bsky.social · 5d

Morning walk with Aspen!
#WednesdayWags #tripawdog #tripoddog #DogSky #light #trees #nature

Silhouetted mountain range with golden light beaming from behind

Black and white tripaw dog (hind leg amputee) coming toward the viewer beneath a canopy of hanging gray dead juniper branches (prettier than it sounds)!

Snags against blue sky with golden morning light illuminating them and a shining carpet of weeds with a thick piñon-juniper forest behind

A thick many-branched juniper tree, part alive, part snag, along a dirt trail with two large yucca plants in the foreground

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 5d

Happy birthday Rushak!

It’s hard to find a passage where his joy isn’t bittersweet. Here (pre-book), he’s a young teen, brought on a mountain adventure for his birthday. By his brother. Who has a new girlfriend.
Feeling alienated, he connects with a raven. #Writing #fantasy #WIP #WritingCommunity

As he pulled his hair from his eyes, he saw
against the sky a pair of gleaming wings. It dipped toward him and then rose, soaring on the wind, a
black silhouette circling and then gliding down the As he pulled his hair from his eyes, he saw
against the sky a pair of gleaming wings. It dipped toward him and then rose, soaring on the wind, a black silhouette circling and then gliding down the valley in the direction of the Tooth.

Not tethered to the earth, Rushak thought.
Not tethered to anyone. A solitary raven, complete in himself. He followed it with his eyes, and then began to walk, filled with a need to keep it in view. It passed
out of sight for a few moments, a shadow become one with the black spruce far below. Then a gleam, sun-flash of spread wing, and the raven shot up stark and crisp against the blue sky. Rushak stood still, watching it spiral out and away. It grew small and smaller still. He heard Drisal calling. He did not
move. And against hope, the raven came back, banking in the air currents coming around the mountains. It alighted on high ground, atop one of the far-off gnome pines.
Of the birthday and the raven.
A slice of Rushak's youth valley in the direction of the Tooth.

Not tethered to the earth, Rushak thought.
Not tethered to anyone. A solitary raven, complete in himself. He followed it with his eyes, and then began to walk, filled with a need to keep it in view. It passed out of sight for a few moments, a shadow become one
with the black spruce far below. Then a gleam, sun-flash of spread wing, and the raven shot up stark and crisp against the blue sky. Rushak stood still, watching it spiral out and away. It grew small and smaller still. He heard Drisal calling. He did not move. And against hope, the raven came back, banking in the air currents coming around the mountains. It alighted on high ground, atop one of
the far-off gnome pines.

Of the birthday and the raven.
A slice of Rushak's youth

El Diente, a fourteener in the Lizard Head Wilderness. As viewed from horseback on the slopes of a neighboring mountain. The ride that day inspired the scene that I share the two snippets from.

Rushak watched their shadows lengthen
against the mountainside as they rode down in the afternoon sunlight. He had almost forgotten the raven. But he remembered in time to catch a last glimpse of it before it flew ... watching the grass, bending with the wind, in the very direction of their
steep descent. The Tooth beside them, above them, across that deep valley, its crystalline landscape very different in this light. Better to be ahead of Drisal now, and have all the view. With no effort, Frasca executed his wish.

"Sticks, *cinshamm!"*

"Frasca is going home." Rushak threw up his
hands in mock helplessness, grinning hugely. He heard the whoosh overhead. He knew the sound of those wings. Only a moment later did he find it odd that he should feel it so familiar, as the raven alighted on the top of a dead pine ahead of him and emitted its lonely croak of utter self-sufficiency.

Of the birthday the raven.
A slice of Rushak's youth

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 5d

Oct. 8. Harvest Moon. Rushak’s birthday.
Rushak is the protagonist of my fantasy WIP Brother’s Keeper.
🔥I shall now play the anthem of my love for him.
#Writer #music #writing #characters #love #WIP #oursong #birthday
youtu.be/w8Iid0M6Jyo

Low

YouTube video by Cracker - Topic

youtu.be

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 5d

Me and my #creativeprocess be like
#writer
youtu.be/tH3phKBbVLs

King Crimson - Indiscipline

YouTube video by King Crimson

youtu.be

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Mark Paleologopoulos @markpaleo.bsky.social · 6d

Her self-assurance is gone & I think I see fear in her eyes. If not fear, at least worry.
“If there’s a problem, just let me know what I can do to help.”
“It’s no big deal. It'd be better, though, if we left separately.”
She’s obviously lying about the size of the deal.
“Will you be safe?” #WIPSnips

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MidnightRose Artist @midnightrose838.bsky.social · 6d

#WIPSnips A quick search did NOT make Lawcket's WIP look cozy.😭
I hate that book 1 ends on this note😢

“I and Lawcket both know that. I don't even know all of how this happened, but I know Lawcket didn't mean to hurt you.”
“No, but he didn't care enough to look after his safety for my sake.”

“He should never have gotten himself into the mess he's now in if he wanted me to be happy,” Mesellah accused. “Children don't get themselves killed and then tell their Mom to be happy with her younger children.” Her voice quaked brokenly, as her words failed.
“I and Lawcket both know that. I don't even know all of how this happened, but I know Lawcket didn't mean to hurt you.”
“No, but he didn't care enough to look after his safety for my sake.”
Mesellah looked up. “That child used to love me,” she said in a voice almost too small to be as hopeless as she'd been sounding.
It was so clear that she wanted back the toddler Lawcket had been before he'd been changed by whatever had happened when he'd been lost that night and come home wounded and bonded to a monstrous dragon.
Aisferk was certain that his bond to Looccup was not all that had happened to change Lawcket. There was magic in what had happened– Perhaps there was magic in all life.

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Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · 6d

#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #Safe

Give him a pass. It’s pretty raw.

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers linked by a misunderstood power.

The workshop glittered around him.
Beautifully cut gems caught the wan sunlight through the window and scattered it in a multitude of colors,
bathing him in sparkling and brilliance. It was like submersion in a harmonious repertoire of song. A new tune quavered in his heart, but he would never play it. He eased the charred pieces of his letra to the
floor. There was something for the work. And he would not have to so much as prick himself; the pain was bleeding out of him everywhere.

True, the harp was his only loss. His home
surrounded him, tree, branch and leaf. The workshop was untouched, not a pebble out of place. His tools were SAFE. In his chamber, his desk waited beside his bed with all his research complete and unsullied. Oh,
it could have been burnt. It could have been scattered to the four winds. He could have lost everything, like everyone else. But no. Fortune spared his home. It claimed a sacrifice just the same.

Brother's Keeper
A.C. Turek

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Siege of the Spirit @siegeofthespirit.bsky.social · 6d

The thing he tells himself

From Siege of the Spirit

#WIPSnips #darkfantasy #fantasy #WriteSky #safe #WritingCommunity

And now he would leave her again, in the heart of the Darkness. He told himself it would be the last time.

He would find his brother, then come home.
He would give the rest of his life to her, to his children, and keep them safe until the light should come again

Siege of the Spirit

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